davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1887-03-24

J. j. AsToRs RESIDENCE. buildings, by any
means, but would, nevertheless, bring great
deal of money even if not located on the most
fashionable portion of the most fashionable
thoroughfare in the metropolis. The inner
furnishings are said to be sumptuous in the
extreme, but to the ordinary passer by there
is absolutely nothing i'll the appearance of
either building to strike him as being the res
idence of the wealthiest men in America.
Mr. Astor is said to pay DIR. Fordyce Barker
a stated yearly salary for constantly attend
ing upon him. The great landlord keenly
appreciates that death makes no discrimina-
tions. and he seems to dread his coming more
than men usually do. But it is not only John
Jacob Astor who is possessed of this melan-
choly trait of character. The whole family,
with one or two exceptions, have the reputa-
tion of being as gloomy as persons can well
be- One would naturally suppose, after meet
ing one of the Astors, that the man he had
Just seen was some unfortunate fellow who
had Just met with great loss.
Mrs. William Astor was one of the most
vivacious leaders New York society has ever
known. Her fame as an entertainer spread
all over the world, and her supremacy was
never questioned in the highest society circles
of New York city. Young Mr.. w. w. Astor is
moderately cheerful, and it is reported that
he will build an elaborate cottage at Tuxedo
next summer.
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1887-03-24
BATON ROUGE.
LETTER FROM THE CAPITAL OF
LOUISIANA.

That Cory Southern City Considered
from the Standpoint of . Resident.
Some Peculiarities of the Place and
the Great Sugar Cane State Generally.
Especial Correspondence
BATON ROUGE. La, Feb. 2l.-Baton
Rouge, the capital of the state of Louisiana,
is situated on the first highlands that rear
their heads above the swamps and alluvial
lands that sweep in an unbroken level from
the delta of the great Mississippi up to the
hills and plateaus, which rise higher and
higher until they lose themselves in the far
off Alleghanies.
Gayarre, in his history of Louisiana, tells us
that Baton Rouge was one of the first settle
ments made in the state, having been used as
a depot of contraband trade by the English.
Il was afterward captured by the French,
and held alternately by the French and Span
iards. who built fort and established gar
rison there.
On the 1st of December, 1S49, it became the
capital of the state, and castellated build
ing, in imitation of the Anglo-Norman style
of architecture, was built and used as state
capitol until the beginning of the late war
between the states. In December, 1862, this
building was burned, but not entirely de-
stroyed while occupied by Federal troops
and used as prison for Confederate soldiers.
For many years it remained picturesque
ruin, covered with an emerald tangle of ivy
and Virginia creeper, and was hkened by
many to the poetic ruins that overhang the
river Rhine 1t was remodeled and rebuilt
in 1872, and the seat of government re-
moved from New Orleans and re-established
in March, 1892
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1887-03-24

A portrait of GOVERNOR M'ENERY
Governor S. d. McEnery, who delivered the
states welcome, is here given.
Morganza levee, situated in the parish
OF Pointe Coupee, the largest in the state, has
just been completed. This mammoth earth
work has length Of 9,256 feet, and at one
point base of 204 feet and height of "a
feet. The levee has broad bernie along its
entire front, and roadway in its rear. 1t
has been well sodded and is pronounced by
experts to be of most substantial build. The
levee has been built bv the convicts from the
state penitentiary, the force employed num-
bering over 600 men. DR.. Peter Treyevant,
OF Shreveport, La, is the contractor.
The MorganZa crevasse occurred during
the overflow Of 1874, and the waters from
this point overflowed portions of the follow
ing parishes: Pointe Coupee, West Baton
Rouge, st. Mary, Therville, Yerrebonne, st.
Landry, AvOyelles, liberia and st. Martin
1t was rebuilt in 1882 at a cost to the state Of
from $4,000 to 100000, only 70 be swept
away by the great food of that year. The
restoration of this great levee for the second
time, at the cost of nearly 500, 900, has
brought a feeling Of relief and security to
many planters, who are rebuilding fences,
plowing long neglected fields, and who feel
for the first time that the boom of the new
south has at last reached them
FRANCES BYrHEL OTIs.
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1887-03-24
DOUBT.

Some time in each mans life
Comes the strange spirlt-doubt.
He cannot shut it out,
Or Danish it by pleasure, rest or strife
He doubts humanity;
He questions whether Providence exists;
And. swathed in binding mis- 5,
Religion seems to him profanity.
Then, once again, goes up
That question: Is there any God,
Or any life beyond the sod
With which the sexton rounds the grave mound
up?
And as of old, he asks,
Where is the promise Of his coming ?? for
Since patriarchs fell asleep, even as before,
Evils foul servant form i the sunshine basks
While contradiction strange
Still makes paradox of human lfe,
The sacred books with errors clouds are rife
And through their volumes devils seem to rang-
But though he gropes right on,
No answer comes distinct to give him rest
He too, must live in darkness like the best;
Who in the vanished past no vision won.
Yet, when the shifting band
OF myths and phantasies have left him lone,
Steps down the angel Duty from her throne,
And takes him by the hand.
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1887-03-24
HIS FALSE TEETH
commonly

commonly wore HIS FALSE TEETH.
were made for him by a Swiss artisan
in New York They are now preserved
in the museum of the Baltimore COL
lege of dentistry. The material used in them
was hippopotamus ivory. The lower plate was
made Of one solid piece, teeth and plate being
carved together. The upper plate required
greater skill, and was made with the plate
separate, and the teeth riveted to it with fine
gold rivets. Although plaster casts of Wash
ingtons mouth were made, it was impossible to
carve the plates precisely as they should be to
fit. They gave him great pain at times, but
by gradual carving they finally were adapted
to the irregular surface of his mandibles. 1t
was his habit to remove his teeth on retiring
at night, and in the course Of two years, by
the moisture Of his mouth and the regular
nightly cleansing, the upper plate cracked
and split, SO that one day the father of his
country felt the roof of his mouth cleft in
twain. Had it not been for the delicate
springs inserted at the hinges Of these teeth to
make them cling tightly to his jaws, in the alb
sence of that perfect suction which the mod
ern dentists secure, the teeth would have fallen
out Washington sent them to jeweler at
Alexandria for repairs. Thin strips of steel
were riveted across wires on each piece of the
ivory plate, and the old gentleman wore this
amended set of his teeth to his death.
JOHN AYE.
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1887-03-24
THE ASTOR LIBRARY.

The Astor library was founded by the elder
John Jacob Astor grandfather of John Jacob
Astor), who died in 1S4S, leaving behind him
what was in those days considered untold
wealth His wiz contained a codicil appro-
priating $400, 900 for the establishment of a
free library in New York city. Joseph G.
Cogswell. IL d., was the first superintendent
of the library. The building, as it now stands,
is really three times its original size the second
section having been built by William B.
Astor the son of the founder, and the third
section by the present John Jacob Astor. The
library contains nearly 250, 900 volumes, and
has cost the Astor family up to date very
much more than 81 900, ,0O0
The history of the foundation of the Astor
fortune is very interesting reading John ia
cob Astor, ST., was born in the village of Wal.
dorf, Germany, in 1863 His father was a
combination of farmer and butcher At the
age of II Johns father remarked, his first
wife having died in the meantime, and this
stepmother it was who caused young Astor
by her ill-treatment of him to take the step
which was the beginning of the career which
subsequently made him one of the wealthiest
men in the world. John left home with
scarcely a cent, but upon reaching the
Rhine he obtained employment upon
a raft, and in time succeeded in get
ting together a little money, which he
expended for passage to London. There he
was warmly welcomed by his brother, who
was manufacturer Of musical instruments
in small way. He remained there for two
years, during which time be had learned to
speak English quite well, and had also accu-
~hout S75 in money and couple Of
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1887-03-24
in March, 1882
THE OLD CAPITOL.

Baton Rouge was incorporated in 1920, and
has population of 10000 inhabitants 1t is
sufficiently near the gulf to enjoy its refresh
ing breezes in summer The winters are
rarely severe and snow and sleet are seldom
seen. The thermometer rarely rises above
80 degrees or falls below 20 degrees, Fahren-
heit, and when either extreme is reached
only a few days of disagreeable weather is
experienced before a change occurs.
The soil is admirably adapted for the cult
ure Of flowers, and camellias and roses grow
to such perfection as to excite the wonder of
strangers visiting here. They flourish so that
they grow to be trees instead of shrubs.
Baton Rouge is the county seat of the
parish of East Baton Rouge, which has a
population of over 25 900 inhabitants. 1t has
a river frontage of nearly forty miles. The
lands along the Mississippi are alluvial, about
one-third being under cultivation, the remain
der pasturage and woodland. The other por-
tions of the parish are highlands; that is, they
are not subject to overflow from the Missis-
sippi river, even in extreme inundations
This lands produce all the staple crops, viz. !:
Cotton, cane, corn, rice, potatoes and a great
variety of vegetables.
Among the forest trees is the live oak, a
graceful and beautiful trees of the southern
forest; the magnolia, with glistening, green
foliage, bearing its burden of snow white
blossoms; the elm, several varieties of oak
and gum trees, the poplar, beech and cypress.
The orange, fig and grape yield plentifully,
and the pear, peach and plum are cultivated
with advantage
The Mississippi river, navigable at all
seasons of the year, affords regular traffic
between New Orleans and the western cities.
The Texas and Pacific railway and the Mis-
sissippi Valley railway, one on either side of
the river, run daily trains to and from New
Orleans The former furnishes a through
line to Texas and California, the latter going
north to Memphis. The distance from Baton
Rouge to New Orleans, via Texas and Pacific,
is ninety-eight miles; via Mississippi Valley,
eighty-nine miles. The distance by river is
130 miles The southern portion of the parish
carries Oh an extensive trade with New
Orleans 10y steamer across the lakes and up
the Amite river TO Hope Villa.
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1887-03-24
A Tame Bull Fight.

The bull fight the other night was COM
plete failure, and evidently disappointment
to the immense audience that filled the hippo
drome. Whether it was the electric light
that blinded the animals or the WEAKNESS fol-
lowing upon their exertions of Sunday it is
impossible to say, but certainly tanner herd
of cattle was never seen outside the peaceful
pastures of farm. Their chief object seemed
to be to avoid the toreadors whenever
approached, and the very sight of red cloak
struck terror into their hearts One amiable
COW that ran whenever approached was re-
ceived with cries of ba-a-a, and in many
parts of the multitude attention was easily
turned from the performance to the witty re-
marks of the rough element From beginning
to end the show was farce, and it may be
safely predicted that this amusement win
never be apopular one in Paris.-Paris Morn
ing News
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1887-03-24

EBEN K. RENFORD. ONCE commanding
a salary of 500 or So In speaking of
himself Mr.. Rexford said the other day:
l was born in Johnsburg, N. Y, July
l6, 1913. l began writing when l was IA,
my first poem being published about that
time in New York paper. When 1 was II,
got the first money ever received from
publisher, Frank Leslie being the man to give
me my first pecuniary encouragement. 1
have written stories and poems for most Of
the eastern literary papers, and am better
known there than at the west, because west
ern papers have never been able to paw a
price that would induce professionally liter
ary person to contribute to them therefore
those of us who write for money have to send
our wares where they will bring the
most. l write quite rapidly, and am
able to accomplish a good deal of work
during the year. My hobby-if l have one
is flowers, and I have green house full Of
them, from which receive a vast amount of
pleasure. l write a great deal about their
cultivation, and edit the floral department in
five periodicals, and from this You will see
that am one of those practical persons who
combine sentiment and business. Am bach
elor; have no "grave of departed love" to
weep over; have never met with a "disap-
pointment" in love, and do not find single
blessedness such bad thing as some persons
try to make it appear. Have pleasant home,
with books, and pictures, and music, and
flowers, and take life very comfortably
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1887-03-24

! CONGRESSMAN GLOVER. to outShine if
she pleased, even the splendor Of Mrs. Mackay
whose husband was the partner Of the late
| Mr.. Patten. In the trousseau were forty
| dresses by Worth.
The wedding robe, in which the fair bride
made most enhancing picture, was grand
| affair with a train ninety inches long, of
satin heavily brocaded in velvet, the waist
and front trimmed with duchesse lace, finer,
it is said, than that the Princess Beatrice
wore on her wedding gown. The neck was
high and the sleeves came to the elbow. A
long tulle vail was worn, and the lady car
ried in her hand big bouquet of lilies of the
valley, with a jeweled fan covered with
duchesse lace, beneath which was tiny
vatican painting. She wore no jewels, al
though Mr.. Glover had Tiffany send his bride
three large necklaces to choose from.
Among the dresses was fine bottle green
travelling dress with jacket, muff and toque,
edged with black astrakan; Nile green wa
tered silk, brocaded with emerald silk velvet;
another gown, of Nile green tulle, over silk of
the same color; a visiting costume of electric
gray plush; a ball dress, with petticoat of
shimmering white watered silk, draped
with deep yellow satin; a maize colored satin
and navy blue moire antique, with Valenci-
enIeS lace, an evening OTeSS OF Dlack SILK, COW
cred with black dotted tulle; house dress of
fine black Chantilly lace; a pale salmon pink
satin. painted and embroidered with delicate
sprays, vines and butterflies, no two the same
in color or outline; dinner dress of dark
blue satin, embroidered with silver, gold and
scarlet; tea gowns and matinees in fade tints,
supplemented with lace, swansdown and furs;
dressing gowns most exquisitely embroidered,
and other dresses too varied in their details to
be described.
The brides opera cloak was of ribbed cream
silk, embroidered with gold, lined with real
ermine and bordered with wide bands of
white fox. She also has wrap reaching to
the feet made of two camers hair shawls,
which together cost $1,000. None of the
dresses mentioned cost less than So, 600. With
them there are fans, handkerchiefs, laces and
jewels to match. The bride has three dozen
pairs of slippers made of undressed kid. They
are in the latest style, made with pointed toes,
high heels and big silver and gold buckles.
Mrs. Glovers underwear was all imported
and is rich in embroidery and lace. On every
piece her middle name, Augusta, +" is embroid-
cred in fac-simile of her signature
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1887-03-24

Mrs. Patten wore a remarkably rich cos
tune, consisting of electric blue faille. with a
huge train, striped in frise and plush.
The front was draped with her own bridal
veil. a fine piece Of renaissance lace Mrs.
Glover's four sisters acted as bridesmaids, one
of them, Miss Josephine, making her debut on
this occasion. Miss Edith and Miss Nellie
wore gowns in soft shade Of pink. Miss
Josephine and Miss Mamie had beautiful
dresses of delicate blue tulle, dotted with blue
pearls.
The wedding took place in the fine large
mansion at the head of Connecticut avenue
which Mrs. Patten built last year. The large
parlors are paneled in red wood, with frieze
of tropical birds handpainted in oil. The
wedding was performed by Rev. Father Chap
pell.
Sunday evening, after custom which the
Pattens picked up during their stay in Ger
many, the brides mother gave what is known
as O white dinner to the bride and bridegroom
and their immediate relatives and friends
Besides the sister of Mr.. Glover, Mrs. Justice
Field and the brides family, Baron Alben-
steven, NJ Roustan, the French minister, and
Col Frey, the Swiss minister, were present
Congressman Glover, personally, Is not very
striking. He is diminutive in size, has pale,
anxious, wearied face, and nobody would
pick him out of crowd for congressman or
q man Of any particular ability. His uncle,
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1887-03-24

l.. Y.
ciple. He is now an enthusiast on the
use of compressed air for firing explosive
compounds, ON account of its safety and the
nicely to which the propelling power can be
regulated. Many of his practical suggestions
have been added to the system, notably a
method of exploding the torpedo Immediately
on its contact with the water or as many feet
below the surface as required.
Lieut.. Zalinsky is a jolly, sturdy chunk Of
man, So years of age and a Pole by birth.
His parents came to this country when he
was but 4 years Of age and settled in western
New York. He was but II years old when
the civil war came and at the age of 16
managed to take part in it as an aide on Gen.
Nelson Miles staff. At the close of the war
he was commissioned a second lieutenant of
artillery and has served in the army since.
He has been for twenty years first lieuten-
ant, and during that time has been stationed
at the various forts along the Atlantic and
gulf coast For three years and half he
was professor of military science at the Insti-
tute of Technology in Boston. Before under
taking his dynamite experiments he passed
six months at Willet's Point at torpedo in
struction under Gen. Abbott.
The lieutenant has given the subject of coast
defense his entire attention, and he says it
amuses him when he hears even officers of the
late war "Pooh! pooh." at Notifications.
ave can throw up breastworks 100 feet
thick if necessary" they sometimes add.
"And what then!" the lieutenant asks; "are
you going to fire the breastworks at the
enemyf'
Guns are what we need most, he claims.
He holds that if we established large gun
factories they would prove highly success
full commercial enterprise. We could soon
compete with any nation in the world in the
manufacture of ordnance, as we now dc in
small arms
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1887-03-24
THE NEW CAPITOL.

The planters are compelled to rely mainly
on the colored population for their labor as
there exists abroad a false impression that
few white men can endure the heat of the
southern summers. The contrary is the case
as statistics show that more cotton is being
raised by white laborers throughout the
south, than by negroes; the latter seeking
employment in the towns when practicable
In the northern part of the state the cotton
lands are worked Oh shares, that is, an inter-
est is given them in the growing crops. The
planter generally furnishes the laborer with a
house to live i'm with small garden attached,
stock and implements to work the crop, the
laborer feeding himself and family. In the
sugar districts, the southern portions of the
state, daily wages are paid, varying from
sixty-fve cents to 81 day, except during
the grinding season, when the sugar mills are
running night and day, the wages are nearly
double and the laborers work in relays
The first agricultural convention ever held
in the state of Louisiana assembled in the
agricultural hall of the Louisiana State Uni
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1887-03-24


much as 10 per cent. per annum. Mr.. Astor
has a perfect adherence of newspaper no
toriety, breads reporters and interview
ers and could never be induced to fur
nish his portrait for publication. The
one which appears above was sketched
by the artist while Mr.. Astor was sit
ing i'll his box at the Metropolitan Opera
house one evening. Mr.. Astor is something
over GO years of age. He is tall and broad
shouldered and in the full exercise of all his
faculties.
The millionaire is sometimes, although very
rarely, spoken Of as "Colonel" Astor. He has
perfect right to the title, having served as an
aide-de-camp on Gen. McClellan's staff dur
ing the late unpleasantness. He married a
Miss Gibbs, of Charleston, S. c. One son,
William Waldorf Astor, was born to them.
Young Astor is tall, athletic and accom-
plished fellow, who has achieved some little
notoriety in the literary world. He is quite
handsome, and is popular alike with the la
dies and his male associates.
The family residence Of John Jacob Astor
is on the corner of Thirty-third street and
Fifth avenue, while that of his brother, John